🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 4 · page 2

“Do you know that robber, Su-Rung?”91

“By name, yes, but I have never seen him.92 Why do you ask me that?93 He’s a wicked man.”94

“Because they tell a remarkable story about that fellow.95 One of my friends was at school with the son, or rather the adopted son, of this thief.96 It seems, in fact, that Su-Rung found the child abandoned by the roadside and took him home and raised him.97 Thanks to his robberies, the man is very rich.98 He has just sent his son on a long trip.99 That’s what my friend told me.”100

San-Syeng had not missed a word of this conversation.101 His curiosity was aroused to the highest pitch, so he approached the youngster who had spoken, and asked,102

“Pardon me, friend, would you tell me your name?103 Do you know Su-Rung?”104

“Sir, I know this man only through having heard tales of him.”105

This reply hardly satisfied San-Syeng, but, believing that the child had been frightened, he did not pursue his questioning further but walked on.106

Shortly afterward, San-Syeng came to the village of Yen-Yu, where he decided to tarry for a few days to recover from the fatigue of his travels.107

Before seeking a lodging he took a stroll through the village to see the sights.108 His attention was drawn to a great mansion surrounded by a vast garden, so he turned in this direction to view it more closely.109 He came to a pause when he saw in the garden a young girl of marvelous beauty.110 It was impossible to approach her as the garden was surrounded by a continuous wall.111 He walked on for a few paces and then, yielding to some indescribable impulse, he retraced his steps.112 The young girl was still there.113 She turned a candid look toward the walker, giving the young man a subtle thrill of pleasure.114 It is true that his eyes had never met such a sight--a bright oval face as fresh as a half ripened peach, eyes that rivaled the stars in their brilliancy.115 Her hair, which fell down over her shoulders, was as fine and golden as the clouds which disappear behind the mountain peaks in the rays of the setting sun. Add to these attractions a very small hand and a gait as graceful as the flight of a bird.116 The admiration of San-Syeng could not be restrained.117 He could not take his eyes away from the vision of loveliness.118 The girl, walking up and down the garden, now and then cast furtive glances at the youth who was watching her.119

San-Syeng was in a veritable daze.120 For a considerable time he remained in the one spot, even after the beautiful unknown had disappeared.121 Finally, he decided to find a lodging, hoping also to obtain some information concerning the beautiful girl whose charms still held him.122 His first action, therefore, on arriving at the village inn, was to inquire:123

“To whom does yonder mansion belong that is surrounded by such a beautiful garden?124 Its owner is doubtless a personage of some importance?”125

“Yes, it is the estate of a very rich family, the head of which, Yeng-Yen-Sa, is dead.126 The only people who live in that large house are his wife and his daughter.”127

“Is the daughter married?”128

“No, sir, she is scarcely seventeen years old.”129

San-Syeng’s curiosity was satisfied for the moment.130 When alone, he gave himself up to reflection.131 First, he determined to lengthen his stay in Yen-Yu.132 He was burning with desire to see the unknown beauty again.133 Each day for hours at a time he would walk in the neighborhood of the garden where he had first seen the young girl who was constantly occupying his thoughts.134 Alas! his beautiful stroller of the garden remained indoors.135 He was sad unto death.136 One evening, when his sorrow, revived again by the memory of his parents, was more acute than ever, he sought distraction in music.137 He took his flute, and, stationing himself near the garden, improvised the following verses:138

“Homeless am I--I know neither Heaven nor Earth.139

I am walking in despair, seeking in vain for those who gave me birth.140

In a garden there is a flower of marvelous beauty.141

I would like to pluck this blossom, but the branches which bear it are so high I cannot reach them.142

My most ardent desire would be to die and become a butterfly so that I could hover about this adorable flower.”143

San-Syeng then cleverly composed a sweet melody, to serve as an accompaniment to this poetry, which he played upon his instrument with much feeling.144

The young girl had heard everything.145 Deeply perplexed, she asked herself what could be the meaning of the charming words which had come to her ears.146

“If this young man,” she mused, “does not know Heaven nor Earth, it means he has lost his parents.147 If he wants to be transformed into a butterfly to flit around a flower, it means he loves a young girl.”148

Very much puzzled, she sent her servant to inquire who could be the author of the verses she had just heard.149 She wondered if it were not the young man whom she had seen a few days before walking near the garden.150 Still impressed by what she had heard, she took her own instrument and in turn improvised the following verses:151

“The spider spins her web from flower-stem to flower-stem, but the butterfly does not come.152

I have dug a lake in my garden to attract the swans, but in vain are my labors.153

I have planted a tree to serve as a refuge for the swallow, but the bird remains mute to my call while displeasing birds come a-flocking.154

To-day, however, I heard the song of the blue bird.155 He has at last arrived and very soon he will be close and dear to me.156

The age of sixteen is the fair Springtime of life.157 If I want to be happy, I should not wait much longer.”158

These words filled San-Syeng with a deep joy for they seemed to be a reply to his own verses and he felt overwhelmed with emotion.159 He went home, but it was in vain that he tried to sleep.160

On her part, the young girl slept with difficulty, as her mind was agitated by what had just taken place.161 Now it came to pass that her father appeared before her in a dream and said, “My daughter, there is stopping at the inn nearest our home a traveler whose merits I bring to your attention.162 It is the son of San-Houni, the scholar, one of my best friends.163 I would like you to marry this young man.”164

She objected that she was not even acquainted with the youth.165

“Yes, my daughter,” replied her father, “you have already seen him.166 He comes of a very noble family.167 Good-bye, my daughter.”168

The young girl wished to detain her father, but to her sorrow her efforts were of no avail; the vision faded and she awoke in tears.169

“How can I obey my father’s command,” she complained.170 “I must devise some way to meet this young man.171 I will go into the garden again this evening and perhaps I shall see the man whom my father has ordered me to marry.”172